Fifty-three days after the Wimbledon[1] final, 3,500 miles away from the All England Club, Amanda Anisimova laid her demons to rest.
That 6-0, 6-0, 57-minute defeat in London at the hands of Iga Swiatek[2] was avenged in spectacular style, Anisimova taking down the Pole 6-4, 6-3 to reach her first US Open semi-final.
As if the fickle tennis gods decided they had gone a little far in London, the 24-year-old American benefitted from a couple of fortunate net cords, including on match point. Only the most rabid Swiatek fan could say she did not deserve it.
‘To come back from Wimbledon like that…it means everything to me,’ she said. ‘I knew I would have to dig really deep. It really was a battle.’
Anisimova crumpled in a heap of nerves at Wimbledon, and when she dropped serve in the opening game of this match, shivers of ghastly deju vu must have been prickling her flesh. But in the city which is synonymous with them, Anisimova said: no bagels this time.
Given the chance, so soon, to avenge that shattering defeat, Anisimova flew at Swiatek like a whirlwind.
American Amanda Anisimova is into the US Open semifinals for the very first time
She beat Iga Swiatek after a brutal 6-0, 6-0 loss to her in the Wimbledon final this summer
In the second game she drove a forehand drive volley into the open court to win her first ever game against Swiatek. There was a roar from Anisimova and an answering roar from the crowd. They knew how important it was to stay in touch early on.
This has not been the best US Open, so far, when it comes to atmosphere on Arthur Ashe. The American men have all flopped and Coco Gauff is out. But they came alive for Anisimova. How could they not after seeing those shattering scenes on Centre Court when she wept in shell-shocked shame.
One does not wish to use the word ‘brave’ glibly – they are just hitting a tennis ball, after all – but what bravery Anisimova showed here.
This is a woman who has dealt with the premature death of her father; who found the pressures of tennis so crippling she took herself out of the game for months. She knows pain and has a better sense than most of how big, or small, tennis is in the scheme of things.
As she edged her way into this match, one recalled why that Wimbledon blowout was so shocking: Anisimova has just the game style to trouble Swiatek, to rush her with those full-blooded groundstrokes.
And that is exactly what she did. She can be inconsistent but at the peak of her powers is the most naturally powerful ball-striker in the world.
Swiatek was frustrated by the 24-year-old American as she lost in straight sets
Anisimova will face either Naomi Osaka or Karolina Muchova in the next round
Anisimova attacked fearlessly and relentlessly, breaking the Swiatek serve for a second time to take the opening set.
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Swiatek headed straight off court – to collect herself or to snap her opponent’s momentum? Whatever the intention, Anisimova came out cold at the start of the second set, double faulting en route to conceding a break in the first game.
But she hit back and the onslaught continued. The shotmaking from both women was jaw-dropping at times.
At 4-3 on the Swiatek serve, Anisimova played a brilliant return game and Swiatek double faulted – one of x in the match – to invite her opponent to serve for the match.
Anisimova did so with nerves of steel. What a performance. Under the circumstances, the finest of the tournament so far.
The American marches on to the semi-finals, where she awaits the winner of the night match between Naomi Osaka and Karolina Muchova.
References
- ^ Wimbledon (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Iga Swiatek (www.dailymail.co.uk)